Prologue: Redux

? ?/?:?...

A fierce battle between two sides has finally ended. The grand manifestation of humanity's grief and negative emotions: Erebus, has fallen. Leaving the group of individuals, whom I grew to care as companions as the victors. With their victory, they each made a promise to themselves. A promise to live the best they can, so they can someday free my burden from the great seal and live with them once again. While I'm happy they would do this for me, that feeling soon grew weary as soon as they left. After all, none of this will matter when everything will soon starts all over again.

However, I'm getting ahead of myself aren't I? Let me start from the beginning, my name is Minato Arisato. Formally, I was a student at Gekkoukan High, but I was apathetic at life itself, not caring for anything around me. The reason for that is because it all started around 10 years ago, when I was 7 years old I think? Anyways, during that time, I had lost my parents in a car accident. That's what the doctors told me anyways, but I always felt there is something off about that statement at the time.

After that, I was constantly moving from relative to relative. Eventually, after always moving around so much and the trauma from the accident, the both of the experiences has then caused me to care very little for life and death. That is until I met SEES.

SEES is the Specialized Extracurricular Execution Squad. It is disguised a school club during the day, but it has hidden agenda during a special hour at night. That special hour is called the Dark Hour, a hidden "25th" hour that appears everyday at midnight. Everybody has experienced the Dark Hour, but it passes so quickly that it might as well not exist. However, to those who are "lucky", they get to experience this hidden hour. From time staying still, sky turning green, blood everywhere, people turning into coffins and the oh so wonderful shadows that attack anyone that walks in this hour.

Shadows are the enemies of mankind, born from our negative feelings. They attack anyone that are not in the coffins, leaving them at a vegetative state called Apathy syndrome at best, or turn them into shadows at worst. Yes, that is the goal of SEES, to destroy the shadows and end the Dark Hour, armed with the power of Persona to fight them on even ground.

A persona is a manifestation of a person's personality. A "mask" if you will, for an individual to use to face hardships. Most users of persona can only use one, but due to my abilities as a wild card, I can wield multiple personas which helps a lot because I can change tactics if required. I initially joined SEES mostly because there was little reason not to. After all, their goal was simple, fight shadows, defeat 12 special shadows and end the Dark Hour. Then continue living on until my death.

However, as time went by and I spent more time with my teammates, I started to shed away from my shell and show emotions that I never thought I would never feel again. It was like finding a lost toy that you thought, went missing a long time ago. I began to feel human, smiling when I was happy, feeling sad when an important teammate died, anger when I met a certain traitor and fear when I thought I would never experience these feelings again when our mission is finished.

Eventually, SEES was able to destroy all 12 Shadows of the Arcana, but that joy was short lived when we found out that we were tricked by that traitor. It turns out that not only that killing the 12 shadows does not end the Dark Hour, but eliminating them was some sort of ritual to summon the Goddess of Night: Nyx, to destroy humanity. My team tried to fight her, but she was simply too powerful to be stopped. All was lost until I discovered the power of the Universe. An incredible power, forged from the bonds I've made throughout the year.

There was catch however. With the knowledge of the Universe, I'd learn that Nyx was neither benevolent nor malevolent. She only wanted to fulfill the wishes of humanity as a whole, unfortunately which happens to be death due to the pain and suffering in the world. That grief and despair is represented in the form of Erebus. This left me with a difficult choice, I cannot destroy Erebus because he is the grief of humanity. As long suffering exist, he will always come back. I can't neutralize Nyx because she is not doing this out of malice and death is a natural part of life, you can't have one without the other without disastrous consequences. In the end, I decided to use my soul to become the great seal, separating Nyx from Erebus, making sure they will never come in contact.

So now you've caught up with the situation right? If only it was that simple, for my problems have just begun. For reasons unknown, I seem to be stuck in a time loop, always starting me at the beginning of the school year and ending at my sacrifice. The first time it happened, I had retained my memories so I thought I given a chance to change my fate. I still died in the end, but I was able finished all of my bonds with everybody, and did everything I can so I would have no more regrets.

The next thing I knew, I found myself standing on the train station again. That is when I knew something is wrong here, time and time again, I would go through the same thing. I've repeated this loop so many times that I had lost count. Even then, I would notice any change that had occurred in these new timelines, whether big or small. Things like shadows getting stronger every time a new cycle begins, seeing new students at the school and even having a new member for SEES, a new girl in my class named Hamuko Inoue.

A part of me thinks Nyx is responsible for this, even though I don't have any proof that she would do this. It doesn't matter though, as long as I can keep Nyx away from Erebus, she can try as many times as she wants, I won't give in.

To be honest, I don't know why I'm telling myself this. I know what happens during the year, I've been through it so many time. Perhaps to remind myself who I am and why am I here? Maybe to stop me just letting Nyx ending human lives just for something different to happen in my life for once.

Enough time had passed that I had once again lost track of it, but that means this loop should repeat sometime soon. I was getting tired of seeing the same place in space, using what little power of the universe I have left, I retreated back into my mind and found myself standing on top of Tartarus. A tower that only appears in the Dark Hour, and where I battled the Nyx avatar. I walked over to the edge to gaze at the dark, cloudy sky with the moon towering over me. Thinking about that events that had transpired to lead me to where I am right now.

While I have no regrets, I still want to be free from the seal. To live a normal life, hang out with friends or maybe get a girlfriend. Okay, that was a little sappy. If Junpei ever heard that, he would laugh.

"This is tiring." I muttered out loud. I won't lie to myself, while I'm grateful for the chance to relive my life again, I can't just simply redo my final year over and over. Heck, I feel like I'm about to go mad-.

"Finally getting sick of it huh?" A feminine voice sneered behind me. Shocked I hear someone else besides me, I'd turn to face the individual standing before me.

She looks like a young women about my age, she had long, black hair that had reached around her back. Her bright, golden eyes had these calm demeanor that told me she has a lot of experience and knowledge. With white skin pale as snow, I would be lying if I said we was not beautiful. however, what really got my attention was what she was wearing. She was wearing a black skin tight bodysuit, with blue lines that glow. Armor black as the night covers her arms, legs and part of her upper body. Two pairs of wings sprout from her back with the same style as her bodysuit and she was holding a large sword in her hands. Overall, her appearance reminds me of...

"Nyx" I called out her her.

Yeah, it all makes sense now. She was looking enraged, I guess she is now tired of being defeated and has now come to kill me herself. It's a shame, while part of me thinks she is responsible for this, the more reasonable part of my mind believed that she was also the victim of this time loop just like me. Looks like I was unfortunately wrong.

I barely had time to react when she lunged at me. I rolled out of the way and jumped as far as I can away from her. Luckily for me, I had developed useful powers throughout the cycles. One in particular allows me to cast spells without summoning my persona. Which is incredibly useful since there are times where I was in trouble and my evoker was out of my reach. Nyx was already speeding right at me, I gathered with little SP I have and casted Garu at her. The wind didn't harm her much but it sent her flying back off the edge. The goddess' wings however, prevented her from falling off, but it'll give me enough times for my other new abilities.

Another trick lets me store and pull out weapons from my mind. I pulled the strongest sword I have: Lucifer's Blade, and deflected the enemy's weapon from decapitating me. We exchanged blows for a while, I ducked from her swing and attempted to cut her legs. She immediately leaped out of the way and charged. Our swords struck against each other, we're both equal at our skills with the sword, I once again casted Garu and knocked her back. She didn't fly far since she had seen it this time, but it gave me more time for another trick.

I enchanted my sword by covering it with the flames of agi and deflected an incoming strike. Nyx swiftly moved around me to attack my blind side.

"tch." I muttered, as I jumped high and casted Agidyne right below me.

An explosion rang out, coating the floor with the sea of flames. Nyx was caught in the blast, but it didn't seem to affect her that much as she dove right up at me. I moved Lucifer's blade to strike her head.

"Really now?" Nyx narrowed her eyes and block my attack.

I ignored her and continued to attack her until we both landed at the singed, ground.

As soon as we touch ground, I leaped back out of her counter and charged in again.

"Is the flames supposed to do something other than make you reckless?" She blocked every move I made against her.

"Hahh!" I swung my fist at her while her sword was fighting against mine.

I have to keep this up until I have recovered enough SP. With Messiah as my current persona right now, he has a special skill called Invigorate. The skill lets me recover SP at a faster fate then I would naturally. Hopefully I'll have enough in time to use Armageddon.

Nyx leaped out of my attack, and followed up with a lunge with incredible speed. I twisted my body and narrowly avoided her blade, only to have my uniform coat pierced. The night goddess smiled as she sent her fist right at my face. My body tumbled from her blow, but I still have enough sense to roll out of her next attack and fire agi at her. She easily smashed the spell from getting close to her with her wings. While she was distracted, I quickly got up and charged into my opponent, causing her to stagger. Before she could fully recover, I unleashed a barrage of stabs with my sword.

Despite my speed, Nyx is still able to deflect and dodge attack that came at her. Fortunately, every time she had to avoid my blade, she unknowingly has to step back each time to rebalance herself due to my unrelenting force. This continued on until she jumped extremely high and landed quite a bit away from me. Before I could do anything, she raised her weapon in the air before slamming it on to the ground, creating an almighty attack, sending a speeding wave of energy at me.

Knowing that there is no way to effectively counter that move and it is too fast to move out of the way, I casted Rakukaja and tensed my body has soon as the wave hit.

Waves of pain shot throughout my body, even with Rakukaja increasing my defense, I still eventually fell on one knee as soon as the wave passed me.

"That could have gone better." I said to myself breathing heavily.

I stood up and saw Nyx on the other side of the battlefield, but she was not attacking. Rather she was looking at something, her hand?

"How?" she asked, "I have blocked most of your attacks and yet."

Black blood dripped down her hand, she must of realized that I have injured her somewhere without her knowing. The goddess turn to look at as soon as I got up and walked towards her.

"How is it that-."

Her eyes widen before narrowing once again.

"So you found out then?" I asked, I was hoping she wouldn't realized until it's too late.

"That fire isn't just for show isn't it?" she flicked away the blood.

I brandish my flaming sword at her.

"It's a little something I learned a few cycles ago." I stopped walking.

She took a step back, on guard for any tricks I might pull.

"A trick?"

I gave a little smirk, "This trick allows me to enchant my current weapon with one of the four elements I can currently use. The enchantment boosts the strength of the weapon and adds an effect depending on the element I had used for the enchanting."

Nyx's left hand turned in to a shaking fist. "You're using fire, that means.."

"Fire burns away your health. That is why your a lot more injured than you think. An incredible power wouldn't you say?"

Obviously this comes at a cost, but I'm not telling her that. The longer the weapon is enchanted, the less durable the it becomes. Out of all the weapons I have, Lucifer's Blade had lasted the longest and is the only one in my possession. However this sword no matter how powerful it is, is just a sword in the end. It will eventually break and at this point I should save it for something dangerous. Considering who my opponent is at the moment, I'd say this is justified to use it.

She promptly flew right at me with her sword overhead. I had manage to block the blade from hitting my head, but the attack was overwhelming enough for the floor I'm standing on to buckle under the immense pressure. I'd try to hold against Nyx's sword, but I ultimately have lost this test of power.

"Huaaaaaa!" With the last of my strength, I attempted to move the blade as far from me as I can before I fell to my knees.

Pain. That it what I felt when I've realized what just happened. Nyx is in front of me, breathing rather heavily. she was holding her sword which is embedded into my left shoulder. Before I could even try to remove it, a leg came into my perception and-.

"Ooph!" kicked me to the edge of the tower.

I rolled onto my hands and knees before I could fall off completely.

*cough* *hack*

Blood flew out of my mouth, red as ever. I looked up in front of me, even with my vision is blurry form that kick, I could still make out Nyx. She was walking over to where I am with her weapon carried over her shoulder. Her golden eyes were filled with hate and contempt.

"I'm not like my brother, Erebus." she said plainly, void of emotion. "I'm not the type of being that takes joy in the suffering of others."

I couldn't help but look away from her piercing gaze. This is a difficult situation to get out of and I didn't recover nearly enough SP to use Armageddon. Even if I did, it would take too long to cast and I doubt Nyx would let me summon Satan and Lucifer, since I had used it against her before.

I look back up at Nyx, her bangs are covering her eyes so I can't tell what she is thinking. Hold on, she said she wasn't like Erebus. After all, she is only doing what humanity wanted as a whole, a wish for death. Perhaps I could talk to her and convince her to-.

"However!" Her voice shook my out of my thoughts, she was now smiling. While is looked kind and pretty, her eyes say otherwise. "I'm willing to make an exception with you if it ends this struggle!"

Nyx readied her sword and flew at me at supersonic speed.

Damn it! Time for plan B!

"Tatrakarn!" I shouted.

"!" My opponent's eyes widen, realizing what I casted but It was too late.

Nyx's weapon came in contact with the green barrier that had formed around me. Hitting that barrier had caused her to reverse the damage from her attack back to her. The result of that has sent her flying back. I got up and put my outstretched palm in front of me, charging it with what little energy I have. This spell is no Armageddon, but it is powerful enough to really harm her.

"Morning Star!" I called out, blue flames of power swirl around my body. Sapping what little energy I have left, I finally collapsed on to my knees. Clouds formed over the tower, beams of light shine through the newly created clouds.

"Tch!" Nyx had recovered from her blow, only to look up to see a beam of light had struck her. The beam has cause a massive explosion consuming most of the roof, Nyx being in caught in the center. I had to keep myself from tumbling off the roof from the shockwave of the explosion. Despite the ear-splitting rupturing sound of the detonation, I could still hear the agonized scream from the goddess in ground zero as I watched the scene unfold.

Everything has finally calmed down, I looked around to see thing but dust and debris. However I knew she is still here, thanks to my heightened senses I had developed. Constant time in battle would do that to a person. I waited until I recovered enough SP to cast dia to heal most of my wounds. I picked up my discarded weapon and walked to the center of the explosion.

As I got closer to the middle, I could hear ragged breathing getting louder and louder. When I had moved close enough to see her past the dust, she was a lot more injured then I had thought. Most of her outer armor was torn off, she was on her knees, leaning on her sword for support.

Heh, looks like Agi blade did it's job well.

Nyx looked up and our eyes locked on to each other, she slowly get up while I kept advancing towards her. We both raised our swords and swung at each other. I moved my weapon to block her attack, and attempted to strike at her open area. She retreats from the attack, but I won't let her get away so I charged in to close the gap between us. We both repeatedly strike at each other, hoping that the other would break first. There were no fancy moves or techniques to get an advantage over the other, and we were both too injured to care. As my sword was locked on to hers, I slowly pushed towards her attempting to make her lose more ground. Even with her current state, she managed to hold onto my strength until our faces were near each other.

I have to finish her off now. If she is the cause behind the time loop, then ending her would solve this whole problem. But If I do it, what's going to happen afterward? Killing her is like killing life itself, people has to die naturally. I can't disrupt the order of life, but why is she doing this?! What reason could she possibly have to make me suffer like this?! Does she hate losing this much?! Damn it!

"Neither malevolent or benevolent huh?" I voiced my displeasure at this situation, pushing harder at her weapon.

"To think you would end like this..." She replied, pushing back as well. However, at this point I don't care anymore. I just want this to end.

"You only wanted to do what humanity wanted!" My voice rose in anger.

"You originally wanted to help your friends!" She shouted back.

"So why..."

"Did you..."

"CAUSE THIS TIME LOOP FOR ME TO SUFFER IN!?"

"CAUSE THIS TIME LOOP FOR ME TO SUFFER IN!?"

…

It took awhile for my mind to to register what she said, Nyx must of realized what I said as well when her eyes narrowed.

"What?" She muttered, her voice was void of any emotion.

"What do you mean what?" I asked, "You're the one doing this because you wanted revenge."

"I am the Goddess of Night!" She snapped, "Not vengeance. Sure when you sealed me, I was annoyed that I lost to a Mortal. But as I watch on, I notice that while many people wished to die, I also began to notice some of them also wanted to live through them as well. I grew to doubt that what I'm doing is what you humans really wanted. When your companions fought off Erebus when they came here the first time, I saw their conviction to live through the harsh difficulties of life just to ease your burden. That is when I accepted defeat, until you made this time loop that is. Is defeating a goddess such a high point in your life that you must repeat it endlessly?"

"One, that is a horrible thing to do." Who does she think I am, Ikutsuki?, "Secondly, I don't have the power to do such a thing."

"You have the power of the Universe." She deadpanned.

"Oh yeah, because I have time to look over that when you are just about to kill all of us." I sarcastically said. I realized I'm acting differently than the usual, but after getting the information I've been after for so long, I couldn't hold in my emotions anymore. Plus, part of me is that that something different is happening for once.

After taking a few seconds to calm myself, I continued, "What about you? You are like a deity of some sort, surely this is no problem for you to do something like this?"

"No I don't have the power to do such a feat." Nyx shook her head, "There is one being I know who has the power of time and he is missing the "Fall of Ancient Greece", as you humans dubbed it."

We both lowered our weapons, I'm relieved that she is not the one behind this, but where does this leave me now?

"Is there anyone else who knows what is going on?" I asked,

The goddess shakes her head, "I tried to contact other beings like me but they are they have no clue what is going on as well."

Wait, what? "There are others that can remember this time loop?" I mean, if we can gather them up together, there is change we-.

"I know what you are thinking." Nyx held up her hand, as if to stop my thoughts. "Unless they are directly involved in this, divine being like myself have no reason to investigate."

"How can they not though?" I argued," I understand humans since they have no recollection of the events, but these divine beings would notice it."

"That's because we normally reside in a plane different from yours." She sighed, "Even though we know what is going on, so does everybody else. Business would be usual on that side. It is only in your realm they would most affected, but even then they'll most likely use the extra time to their advantage in some way."

"So in the end, they can't help can they?" I sigh. Figures it won't be easy.

I unsummoned my weapon by letting it fade back into my mind and crossed my arms, mulling over these new facts. I had initially thought that I was the only one that was experiencing and remembering the time loop, but Nyx said beings like her would also go through the same thing. They would make excellent allies but if they are not directly involved like the goddess in front of me, they would not bother themselves.

Is there a chance that other humans like me would remember it? I would assume so even if it's just one person, however I remember Nyx making a comment about the Universe Arcana. Whither because I was capable of wielding it or not, it proves that I am the only human that remembers as of this moment. Still that does not explain why only I can remember the time loop at all. I mean I understand if I have it right now but I had to use it all up just to create the great seal in time.

I shook my head in frustration. Even with all this new information, I'm not close to solving this mystery.

"Human." Nyx's voice jolted me out of my thoughts. I looked up to see her with one of her hands on her hips and a confident smirk on her face. "I have proposition for you consider."

I let her continue, while I believe she is not going to trick me. After seeing Ikutsuki, I'd learn to develop a healthy amount of suspicion just to not let my guard down easily.

"You are familiar with Monad, are you not?" She asked,

I nodded, it's kinda hard to not notice a giant floating door next to the stairs in the entranceway. Monad, a "bonus stage" of Tartarus, filled with shadows with strength that may rival some of the Arcana shadows. You're better off trying to solo the main tower with just a toy knife as your only means to defense.

"Then you should know about the advanced floors right?"

I raised an eyebrow, "Advance floors? You mean there is more than just ten?"

"If you want to know, then accept my proposal and become my ally." She extended her hand towards me.

I looked at her hand, surprised that she came up with the idea, let alone offer it to me considering the we both thought that the other was responsible for this mess. Still, I need more information before I can accept.

"There is something there that you're unable to do by yourself, isn't there?" I look right at her golden eyes, it is the only explanation that makes sense here.

The goddess' eyes narrowed while her lips formed a frown, "You're annoyingly perceptive, boy." Nyx shook her head before continuing. "While the shadows themselves pose no problem to me, they are a huge distraction for me."

"So because of them, you're unable to finish your objective because it is a two-man operation?"

She shrugged, "Perhaps, perhaps not. I'm not really sure. All I know is with my current predicament, it is extremely difficult for me to do this by myself."

Current predicament? I would ask what she meant but from her tone when she said that, I don't think she's willing to share at the moment.

"How would we meet up then? We don't normally meet until the end of the year?" By then it's too late to do anything.

"That's not a problem." she casually answered, "I have manifested in your world before, I even enrolled in your school just to ward off suspicion from me before."

"Hmm." That does explain why kept seeing a familiar face school even though I was 100% sure we never talked once.

"Please hurry and make your choice." Nyx interrupted my thoughts. "I'd rather not wait another year for your answer."

She's right, time will soon repeat and I want to end this now.

"Just one thing first" I said.

She raised an eyebrow, curious what I want. Yeah it may seem trivial but I rather deal with it now then later.

"Please, just call me Minato." I extended my hand to her.

It is then when I saw something unexpected, she was laughing. Nyx the goddess of night was laughing, and with wasn't an evil laugh or anything like that. It was full of emotion, something I had not heard in a long time. I couldn't help but break in to a smile as well.

"I can accept that, Minato." She said after calming down.

Our hands joined together at last, signifying the start of a new partnership. One I hope that cannot be broken. Normally I would get some voice in my head telling me about a new bond, but this honestly speaks for itself.

Right on time to, because the scenery around us started shaking and my view is slowly going white. The landscape around us crumbles into the white void, leaving us drifting into the abyss.

"It's starting." Nyx says,

"Right." I nodded, "I'll see you soon."

As my vision is going completely blank, I last thing I saw was Nyx's smile.

Sounds. I hear people shuffling by, an announcement saying that a train will soon arrive. I open my eyes to once again standing at a train station, soon to be departing to Tatsumi Port Island. I checked for all my items on me, only to find that my map to the dorms was missing. Not that need it but, I'm interested that my I don't have it this time. I looked for where my train is at as I took a step forward.

"There you are." A familiar voice interrupted me.

I turn to face the direction of the voice. There she also wore the Gekkoukan Uniform, her long black hair flows with the wind.

"Are you ready?" she asked,

I nodded, as if she needed to know my answer.

She nodded in response and walked passed me. "Then try to keep up."

I sighed and followed her. I have a feeling that Nyx will be pretty difficult to work with, but at least I won't be alone for this journey.

AN:

To those who are new here: Welcome, how has the bleach (this story) you just drank?

To the rest: Yeah so I decided to redo this prologue. Mostly because someone convince me to.

I was going to not do it since I originally wrote that fic back in 2010 I think? I found the forgotten drafts years later and decided to uploaded here. Basicly saying: Here's a cool idea, maybe someone could take it and turn it into something decent? What I didn't expect is that others wanted me to do it, so I said "Sure why not?" I uploaded a few more drafts before saying f**k it, I can only proofread so far before realizing that starting from scratch would be a lot more better for the followers and myself. That explain the sudden improvements in storytelling and grammar in the later chapters as some of you realized. (Maybe not so sudden jump and more slowly regaining writing mojo back after a long time used. Either way, you could tell there is improvement.)

Because I'm continuing to do this fic, it probably better redo this prologue as well since the summery and the first chapter are the first impressions. Without a decent summary, you probably wouldn't click on the story. Plue without a decent first chapter, you are less likely to continue one reading. I may or may not redo the other chapters depending how bad it was.

In short, here's the improved prologue. If it's still bad, you're free to leave. I won't blame you.